It is not just the desktop and server markets which Microsoft is interested in pushing out Windows 7 and its underlying technologies to; the embedded space is also fair game, and Microsoft is keen to make its prescence felt in that area with its new Windows Embedded Standard 7 operating system.

Read on to find out more.

It’s hard to deny that Windows 7 has been a resounding success for both Microsoft and the Windows brand, but it seems that Microsoft’s ambitions with its latest operating system go well beyond the desktop. Indeed, the Redmond giant has been extremely keen in rolling out the underlying technology in Windows 7 to its other offerings like Windows Server, and it seems that the embedded space is next in line to receive the Windows 7 touch from Microsoft.

According to a press release by Microsoft, Windows Embedded Standard 7 will allow “differentiated experiences and enhanced connectivity with Windows-based PCs, servers and online services on specialized devices, such as thin clients, digital signage and industrial controls for the enterprise, as well as set-top boxes (STBs), connected media devices (CMDs), and TVs for consumers”.

Kevin Dallas, general manager for Microsoft’s Windows Embedded Business Unit, claimed that the release of Windows Embedded 7 highlights Microsoft’s commitment to delivering the best user experience in the embedded space.

“The addition of the Windows Media Center feature in Windows Embedded Standard 7 is driving the set-top box, connected media device and TV markets by providing OEMs with opportunities to develop uniquely branded experiences and service providers with capabilities to explore additional revenue streams with unique content through a centralized media hub in the home,” he said.

While that might sound great and all, we were unable to obtain any statistics for the market share of Windows in the embedded space, thus making it impossible to gauge just how successful (or not) Microsoft has been in this particular market, and how well the new Windows Embedded Standard 7 will fare among OEMs. However, if one was to consider Windows 7’s phenomenal success on the home desktop, along with the fact that Windows Embedded Standard 7’s predecessors, Windows XP Embedded and Windows Embedded Standard 2009 were fairly well accepted by OEMs, it might be possible that we’ll be seeing more OEMs adopting Microsoft’s new embedded OS for use in their systems.